Despite approaching the age of 36, Novak Djokovic is still in great shape. The former world number 1 closed out last season on a high note by winning the ATP Finals for the sixth time and equaling Roger Federer’s record. The Serbian phenomenon, who paid dearly for his decision not to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, also won his seventh Wimbledon in 2022.
The 35-year-old from Belgrade managed to end the year in the Top 5 thanks also to victories at the Internazionali BNL in Italy, in Astana and in Tel Aviv. The ‘Djoker’ wants to win his tenth Australian Open, especially after the events of last year.
Goran Ivanisevic’s pupil will start under forecast, also given the absence of Carlos Alcaraz (forced to miss due to a leg injury). If Nole came to Melbourne Park in double figures, he would hook his archrival Rafael Nadal in 22 Grand Slams.
At the press conference during the Pune tournament, Tim Van Rijthoven dedicated some nice words to Djokovic.
Van Rijthoven is Nole Djokovic
«Before Wimbledon started, they asked me who I want to play the most and I said, ‘I would like to play Novak Djokovic, but not in the first round.'»
Then I played him in the fourth round,» Tim van Rijthoven said, answering a question from Sportskeeda, during a press conference at the 2023 Tata Open Maharashtra in Pune. «Obviously I was quite happy to play him and fight him. . But yeah, he’s just different.
Just one of the greatest players of all time», added the Dutch player. Novak Djokovic has ruled tennis alongside Rafael Nadal for many years and is not willing to give way to the next generation of players easily.
«I’ve seen a lot of talent over the years and they challenge us, I guess, the guys at the top who have been more established at the top of the game,» he said. «Yes, it looks like men’s tennis is in good hands for the future.
I’m sure Nadal and I will try to mess up his plans a bit for I don’t know how long, but we’ll try,» he added. «What Alcaraz has done last season has been extremely impressive and historic. for our sport, for which he deserves praise, without a doubt.
It is already now, it is the number 1 in the world. There’s no higher peak to climb than that, and he’s already won a Slam, and he’s still very young,» he said.
